Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
From May 2018 to December 2019, the court in Rotterdam was redesigned, under the direction of Dura Vermeer. During the construction work, the court's regular operations continued as usual. "Consultation with the court and the State Property Agency was always good and understanding," says Dura Vermeer.
"A beautiful and challenging project," judges Berry Frijters, business manager of Dura Vermeer about the refurbishment of the Rotterdam District Court. The offices of this court are part of "De Wilhelminahof," a complex of three buildings: a court building with courtrooms, the offices of the Wilhelmina Tower and the premises of the Tax Office.
The reception area with stone floor.
Together with Fokkema & Partners Architects, Deerns, DGMR, Van Rossum Raadgevende Ingenieurs, BOAG Advies en Management, TES Installatietechniek and A. de Jong Installatietechniek, Dura Vermeer took care of the design and realization of this redevelopment. For this, the consortium won the tender in May 2017 in the form of a Design&Build call for tenders from the Government Property Agency. "Although we do this more often, it remains special as a contractor not only to build but also to be involved in the design," Frijters believes. Dura Vermeer and Fokkema & Partners Architects took care of the preliminary design, after which it came to a final design in collaboration with the Rotterdam District Court and the client Rijksvastgoedbedrijf.
The courthouse staff offices and entrance area "the Galleria" were completely renovated into an innovative office concept. An important factor, according to Frijters, was that regular court work continued as usual. "We renovated the offices per three or four floors in phases, where we had to ensure as little inconvenience as possible." For some work, however, this was impossible. "In those cases we chose, in consultation with the court, to carry out those activities early in the morning, late at night or on weekends."
The offices and courtrooms are separated by a glass-covered pedestrian area. (Image: Lucas van der Wee)
Because of the tight construction site, Dura Vermeer, in consultation with its own equipment service, built a rail system. This allowed materials to be moved across the construction site to the building by a kind of trolley without noise pollution. Moreover, trucks could be unloaded quickly and did not have to stand for long periods of time on the usually busy route to the Erasmus Bridge.
The developing builder had weekly consultations with the court. "This allowed us to anticipate the various activities in the court and ensure that it was secured at all times. In addition, inconvenience could be avoided. The safety of the 950 employees, some 220 of whom are judges, could also be guaranteed in this way."
Frijters is not only enthusiastic about working with the court and the client, but also with the members within the design and implementation team. "We worked together as a team at Champions League level. By that I mean that we continuously challenged each other and were open and transparent to each other."
The office areas have been adapted to the current requirements of users.
This January, the doors opened to the renovated courthouse, which has a new, open entrance area with information desks. This reception area, with a natural stone floor and a green facade with real plants, connects the office building with the courthouse. All users now find their way there easily and safely, thanks to a clear and transparent layout. The office areas, including a knowledge center and a meeting area, have also been completely renovated and adapted to the current requirements of the users. Clear lines have been used, for example, with wooden accents adding warmth to the working environment. The offices and courtrooms are separated by a glass-covered pedestrian area. "I have heard from court employees that they are very happy with their workspace. That's what I like hearing most," Frijters said.
